Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affect millions of people worldwide. TMJ discomfort can range from mild to severe, often increasing over time if left untreated. Painful symptoms can manifest throughout the upper body and may often seem unrelated to the jaw area.
At Houston Dentists at Post Oak, Dr. Pigneri and his team of experts diagnose and treat TMJ disorders at the source. Your journey begins with a relaxing consultation at our Houston dental office in the Galleria. From there, patients receive comprehensive care designed to achieve long-term relief from TMJ disorders (TMD).
Call Houston Dentists at Post Oak today and start living a life free from chronic jaw discomfort.
Trouble in the jaw can result in pain across the entire upper body. In many cases, patients are unaware that back pain, headaches, earaches, and more are caused by damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). TMJ disorders (TMD) can affect people of all ages, with symptoms ranging widely.
Get permanent relief from TMJ symptoms – schedule a TMJ examination at Houston Dentists at Post Oak. Treatment consists of:
TMJ Examination. TMJ relief begins with a TMJ examination at the Houston Dentists at Post Oak. In many cases, bite alignment is responsible for TMJ symptoms.
Treating TMJ. Patients wear orthotic devices created in accordance with data from the TMJ exam. The device gradually adjusts the bite, and patients should begin to experience TMJ relief.
TMJ Rehabilitation. Permanent solutions for treating TMJ will vary by patient. TMJ relief may be possible by wearing removable orthotics, braces or Invisalign, or by placing porcelain restorations on teeth and changing the bite.
Treating TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders develop when problems occur with the joints connecting the jaw to the skull. These temporomandibular joints (TMJ), along with the associated muscles and soft tissues, are responsible for the complex movements of opening and closing the mouth.
These joints must rotate and slide smoothly to control the position of the lower jaw. When the cartilage discs that cushion these joints become damaged, or when alignment is compromised by muscle strain, it leads to the development of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
Causes of TMJ Disorders (TMD)
TMJ alignment is fragile. Disease, trauma, and lifestyle habits are all capable of damaging the TMJ. Patients may suffer a TMJ disorder due to any of the following possible causes:
- Disease: Certain conditions can lead to bone and cartilage loss in the jaw. The TMJ is particularly susceptible to damage caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic infections.
- Trauma: Physical injuries are a leading cause of TMJ dysfunction. Jaw alignment can be severely impacted by heavy force to the face, neck, or head—including whiplash. These impacts can displace the jawbone or damage the delicate cartilage within the joint.
- Lifestyle: Chronic teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) place immense pressure on the TMJ. This habit can inflame facial muscles and wear down tooth enamel, altering your “bite height” and causing the jaw to shift out of its natural, relaxed position.
TMJ disorders can strike patients of any age. Trends suggest women may be at a higher risk for TMJ disorders than men. TMJ disorders (TMD) have different effects on each patient, and the signs and symptoms vary.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
The signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders vary by patient. Self-diagnosing TMDs (temporomandibular joint disorders) can be challenging; many of the signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders can be difficult to connect to problems in the jaw joints. Find out for sure if symptoms indicate a TMJ disorder by scheduling a TMJ examination at Houston Dentists at Post Oak. The signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw
- Recurrent tension headaches or migraines
- Jaw tenderness and difficulty chewing
- Radiating pain in the face, temples, or behind the eyes
- Earaches (often misdiagnosed as ear infections)
- Locking or seizing of the jaw joint
Over time, these symptoms can worsen. While home remedies like soft foods or ice packs may offer temporary comfort, they cannot realign the jaw or repair joint damage. For a permanent solution, a professional TMJ examination is essential.
Permanent Relief for TMJ
Go beyond traditional remedies for TMJ relief and treat the cause. At Houston Dentists at Post Oak, permanent TMJ relief is available. TMJ relief involves a number of visits to our Uptown office before treatments are complete.
- Step 1: TMJ Examination
The first step toward permanent TMJ relief is a TMJ examination at Houston Dentists at Post Oak. Digital exams are noninvasive and conducted in a comfortable setting. TMJ examinations include a comprehensive medical and dental history review, and a review of symptoms. Digital images of the head, neck, and teeth are taken. A computerized bite test helps measure the connection between the bite and facial muscles. This data helps Houston Dentists at Post Oak determine the best solution for relieving TMJ symptoms.
- Step 2: Adjusting the Bite Using data from your TMJ exam, you will receive a custom-fitted orthotic appliance. These non-surgical devices are crafted from high-grade medical acrylic and are designed to be adjusted periodically as your jaw begins to relax into its natural position. Patients typically wear these orthotics for approximately six weeks to determine the optimal “physiological” bite before moving toward a permanent solution.
- Step 3: Permanent RehabilitationAfter the orthotic phase, many patients report significant or total relief from pain. To maintain this alignment permanently, we offer several options. Some patients benefit from long-term custom oral appliances, while others may require Invisalign® to move teeth into the correct position. For those requiring comprehensive restorative care, we utilize “Full-Mouth Rehabilitation.” This process uses high-quality porcelain restorations (crowns) to permanently stabilize the bite, ensuring your smile is as beautiful as it is functional.
For patients requiring deeper care, full-mouth rehabilitation can eliminate TMJ symptoms. With full-mouth rehabilitation at Houston Dentists at Post Oak, crowns are used to complete and correct the smile. Crowns can be used to correct one, several, or many teeth. Dental crowns for TMJ full-mouth rehabilitation procedures are created offsite at a dental lab, using high-quality porcelain, for a natural look and feel. TMJ full-mouth rehabilitation may include other dental procedures, depending on the patient. To find out more about TMJ relief, call Houston Dentists at Post Oak for your TMJ examination today.
TMJ Relief in Houston
Start living free of the pain and discomfort caused by TMJ disorders. Treat the cause instead of the symptom. Gain relief from TMJ for good. Schedule a TMJ exam in Houston today. Call Houston Dentists at Post Oak at 713-728-7924 for more information on permanent TMJ relief.